Auto pilot - which one?

[Jfreeman1412]

Hey guys
We are looking to install an auto pilot in before we splash it for the year. Do you have any reccomdations or know of any good deals? Thanks

1980 F-30 express.

[gitchisum]

Keith,

There is a raymarine unit ( used) for a hydraulic steering install on Great Lakes Angler ( www.glangler.com)

Look in the swap meet under forums

[bjanakos]

SIMRAD hands down.

With that being said, take a step back and examine your entire electronics package and decide what you need, want, and will want to add in the next few years. Everything is networked these days and although N2k has come along way, it's still best to stick to one manufactorer for ease of integration.

If you can wait a few months, I'll have an older raymarine for sale on the cheap.

[Jfreeman1412]

That's a good call BJ. I have looked a lt a few different setups, I also have considered going with a 15hp kicker with an auto pilot for the kicker as well since I am mainly using the auto pilot for trolling. Anyone have a kicker(small outboard) mounted on the transom with an auto pilot?

**I am interested in your raymarine too. Let me know when you think you will be that will be available.

Thanks.

[bjanakos]

I used a kicker one a boat once that had an I/O. It used a drag link connected to the I/O so all of the pilot options came form the helm. I would imagine that you would need a dedicated system to have a kicker on an inboard.

I am focusing on items that I need to get done pre-splash at the moment, but I will be upgrading that autopilot in the next month or so. I will be keeping the current pump in place, but the computer, compass, head unit, and rudder sensor will all go with it. It's a Raymarine SmartPilot ST6001 if you want to research. I will PM you when I decommission it.

[lawyerdave71]

I have a raymarine autopilot and she has never let me down.